The Health x Housing Lab at NYU Langone conducts research to build the evidence base for initiatives, programs, and policies at the intersection of health and housing. We are committed to improving the translation of research to practice and policy, providing opportunities for emerging leaders to contribute to and grow professionally in the field, and prioritizing the values of anti-racism, equity, and reduction of health disparities.

Identifying Barriers and Solutions for Older Homeless Adults to Rapidly Exit Shelter to Housing

In partnership with the Corporation for Supportive Housing, Care for the Homeless, and a core group of people with lived experience of homelessness as older adults, the Health x Housing Lab is conducting a qualitative study that will examine the housing, health, and social needs of older homeless adults (age 55+) and identify resources needed to better facilitate rapid transitions to housing for this population. The research will build capacity for community-engaged research at the intersection of health and housing that centers the voices of people with lived experience and leverages the collective strengths of academia, community-based organizations, people with lived experience, and government partners to identify and implement solutions to homelessness among older adults. The study (2023–26) is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Permanent Supportive Housing Overdose Prevention (POP) Study

Focused attention on marginalized populations and the social conditions affecting overdose is critically important to forestall deaths and reduce widening inequities. This study (2022–27) uses a stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trial and qualitative interviews to examine the implementation of evidence-based practices to prevent overdose in permanent supportive housing—housing that serves formerly homeless individuals who face disproportionately high risk for overdose—in New York City and New York’s capital region. The study is being conducted in partnership with the Corporation for Supportive Housing. Findings will lay the groundwork for widespread implementation of overdose prevention practices in permanent supportive housing and inform similar implementation efforts for other housing settings that serve at-risk populations. This study is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The principal investigator is Kelly M. Doran, MD.

COVID-19 Hotel Intervention for People Experiencing Homelessness (CHIP) Study

This study (2022–27) uses community-partnered, mixed-methods research to examine substance use and related health impacts of moving homeless individuals to hotel rooms, leveraging a policy change that occurred in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The NYU Langone study team is working in partnership with the New York City Department of Social Services and Project Renewal Inc. The research will inform future local and national programmatic and policy interventions to address the intersecting issues of homelessness and substance use, which is especially important as homelessness has reached crisis levels and is predicted to rise further in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The principal investigator is Kelly M. Doran, MD.

Nurse Triage Line Qualitative Evaluation

The Health x Housing Lab is conducting a qualitative evaluation of a Nurse Triage Line pilot program implemented in New York City Department of Homeless Services shelters. The Nurse Triage Line offers 24-hour access to a live nurse, who provides guidance and care coordination for residents with non-emergency medical conditions. Services provided by the Nurse Triage Line include referrals to telehealth or urgent care, help with booking appointments, and transportation assistance.

Our qualitative evaluation will examine perceptions, experiences, and interactions with the Nurse Triage Line, as well as barriers and facilitators to implementation. This evaluation (2022–23) is funded by the Helmsley Charitable Trust.

Cash Assistance Evaluation

In partnerships with NYC Health + Hospitals and Test & Trace, the Health x Housing Lab team evaluated a program implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that provided one-time, unconditional cash transfers of $1,000 to low-income New Yorkers who contracted or were exposed to COVID-19.

Using a mixed-methods approach, we examined how program recipients used the $1,000 cash transfer, their experiences with the program, and self-reported effects of receiving the cash transfer on their health and social needs. This study (2021–22) was funded by the Robin Hood Foundation. Results of the study were published in Journal of Urban Health.

Research Summaries

The Health x Housing Lab disseminates relevant and timely research findings to audiences outside academia, including community members, policy makers, people with lived experience of homelessness and housing insecurity, and service providers. Our research summaries present key findings from academic research in a clear, understandable fashion.

Homelessness and Mortality

We summarized two recent studies from Boston and Los Angeles County that looked at overdose and other causes of mortality among people experiencing homelessness. Read more about these studies.

Homelessness and Mental Health

We summarized three recent studies that examined mental health and homelessness across the globe. Read more about these studies.